Friday, February 13, 2009

Breaking up with DC.

When I first moved to DC, I loved it. I liked the majestic buildings downtown, the Metro system, the amount of trees everywhere. I liked Rock Creek Park and the way it's a real park, really natural, and the way it spreads all over the city. I liked that the buildings were low so you never felt closed in. I liked the people, the fact that so many people here are here for a cause, working for a nonprofit or the government or some other organization that has a mission other than pure profit. I liked that when you went to parties you would end up in conversations with complete strangers about real issues.

When I moved to DC I had no plans to stay here permanently or not to stay here permanently. I just didn't think about things that way. But it was a great first city in which to live on my own. Accessible, easy to get around, and while expensive, not over-the-top, prohibitively unaffordable. It's amazing how different everything is now, just three years later. I had my first job here. And my second job. I met my husband here. I got married here. I am totally comfortable here.

But while there are certain things that I will definitely miss about the city, I don't foresee myself missing it as a whole. Missing the people I love who live here, absolutely. But I don't feel much nostalgia about the city itself. It was perfect for me as a young single person and for us as a young couple. But it isn't what we want for ourselves as a young family and then as an older and bigger family.

Still, I look forward to telling our kids about how we met in DC, and got married there, and what we did while we were living here, the same way that I always liked hearing those stories about my parents and how they met in California. And I look forward to developing a life in Denver, to having real little native Coloradan children who aren't afraid of snow and who don't think of the East Coast as the only real place to live. Even if they end up there eventually.

So, this is it for us and DC. The relationship is over. And to commemorate that, I think I'm going to go change my Facebook regional network. After all, isn't that how you know that a change is real?

28 comments:

My parents are originally from the DC area, so I grew up visiting my grandparents there. I always felt like DC was a revolving door. Congressmen/women come and go. Presidents come and go. International representatives come and go. But, it never felt settled. Just a nice place to visit.

Glad you will have great memories of that area, but I'm personally very excited to "be a part" of your next life adventures! Safe travels this weekend!

It's good to see that you have such a healthy attitude about it. And who knows, maybe someday you could move back if you decide it's the best place for you! Or maybe you'll love Denver so much you'll convince us all to move there too.

haha! Did you admit to DC that you've been fantasizing about Denver for a while? cheating on DC in your mind, in other words? Will DC get any palimony? Will you still talk on the phone and agree to be "just friends"?

I broke up with Maine the same way that I break up with many boyfriends - suddenly, bluntly, and without looking back. It's the best way, really; there is no time to linger and change your mind.

When I was twelve, we visited there for a day. My mom paid a homeless guy about 20 bucks for a free map. Yeah, she's that naive. I'm glad she didn't live in a city. She probably wouldn't make it too far...and then would have have popped me out! heheHappy travels!

Hey, Jess! Just so you know, you won the art giveaway on my blog...yay!!! I'll post an announcement there soon. Renee (the artist) should have emailed you already...just reply to her with your mailing address.

As someone who grew up here, and who knows lots of people who have lived here at all stages of life, it always makes me a little sad when people can't see past the transient DC to the real city in all its diversity and depth. I'm sorry it didn't work out, good luck on your future relationships, and you're always welcome back if you change your mind. :)